A “BEGGS” EVENING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18448, 26 April 1928, Page 11

A “BEGGS” EVENING.

UNIQUE GRAMOPHONE AND

PLAYER-PIANO RECITAL. The monthly gramophone and playerpiano recitals given in the concert chamber of Messrs Charles Begg and Co. have reached such a stage of popularity with local music-lovers that the audiences have altogether outgrown the ordinary provisions for their accommodation. In its desire to meet this enthusiasm, the management therefore adopted the ambitious idea of engaging the Municipal Concert Hall for a grand recital and demonstration of the vast pleasure and musical edification which may be derived from the gramophone and the player-piano. The recital was given on Monday evening, and its success in every way was a deserving justification of the firm’s enterprise. Every seat of the 1350 in the hall was occupied long before the commencing hour, and quite a number of enthusiasts were turned away.

The programme, which was of interesting versatility in its range of subjects, included player-piano and gramophone selections and demonstrations of the adaptability of each or both of these instruments in accompaniment of the human voice. Several selected songs were also rendered by Mr D. M’Gill, the Christchurch tenor. Mr C. A. Rcndle, manager of Messrs Charles Begg and Co., who conducted the various demonstrations, spoke briefly in-reference, to the value of the gramophone and the player-piano as a means of inculcating the art of music in the child mind. It familiarised them wjth interpretation, and brought them actually to follow and appreciate the original interpretations of the great masters who composed the various works. Regarding the matter of accompaniment of the human voice, Mr Rendle said that many hearers might be caused to believe that, when accompanied by the player-piano, a singer suited his tempo and interpretation to the instrument. This, however, was not so. The essence of an accompaniment was to follow the singer, and, in order to demonstrate the extent to which this could be accomplished and the ease of such an accompaniment, Mr Rendle accompanied on the playerpiano, with an excellent blending of tempo, a gramophone record in which the famous Irish tenor, John M’Cormack, was the vocalist. A highly appreciated item was an orchestral selection played on a New Re-entrant gramophone from behind the organ grille. The effect was indeed grand, and formed a striking tribute to this latest H.M.V. achievement. Se\ T eral solos, including “ Scherzo, 13 Flat Minor” (Chopin), were rendered on the Duo-Art reproducing piano, which amply justified its description as the instrument which recreates in one’s own home the original playing of the artist. There were also various solos, including “Etude, D Flat” (Liszt), on the Stroud player—the piano which makes one, without any musical knowledge, to interpret the music one really’ cares for with personal individuality and expression. The gramophone selections included a number of the latest H.M.V'. releases, j all of which were highly appreciated, the whole entertainment, in fact, being one which stamped itself as one of the most, unique and pleasurable musical treats the Christchurch public have been afforded for some considerable time.

The arrangements being made by Messrs Charles Begg and Co. for . the winter months include a number of recitals to be held in the Municipal Concert Hall. A particular feature will be an afternoon recital for children and a competitive essay on the entertainment, which will be written in the schools. 7